Trump to Drop Rwanda, South Africa From Trade Deal

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced on Monday that President Donald Trump intends to terminate South Africa and Rwanda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade preference program. The removal takes effect in January 2027, ending duty-free market access for thousands of products from these two sub-Saharan African nations.

Greer stated that the governments of Rwanda and South Africa are engaging in practices inconsistent with AGOA eligibility criteria. He cited barriers that undermine American trade and investment, as well as practices that threaten US national security and foreign policy interests in the region. The statement did not provide specific examples of the trade barriers or security issues in question.

South Africa has been the largest beneficiary of the program, which was introduced by former President Bill Clinton in 2000. In 2025, the country exported $1.7 billion worth of goods, including car parts, citrus fruit, and wine, to the United States under AGOA provisions. The program covers over 1,800 specific products and serves as a critical economic boost for more than 30 participating countries.

South Africa's Trade Ministry said last week that it was prepared for the decision. The ministry noted that AGOA exports comprise only about 10% of the country's total exports to the US and 1% of its total global exports. A ministry statement added that AGOA remains important but does not constitute the totality of the economic relationship between the two nations.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has said in recent weeks that South Africa must prepare for exclusion by seeking new markets and trade deals with partners such as China. On Monday, the South African government said the US remains an important trade partner and it would provide support for affected sectors.

The export-dependent citrus industry warned that its entire value chain on both sides of the Atlantic is now under threat. Industry leaders stated that jobs and the economic security of entire communities are at stake. The US recently sanctioned Rwanda's Defense Ministry over alleged support of the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda denies ties to the group. Major Rwandan exports to the US include coffee and minerals.